2019 Toyota 4Runner Nightshade Celebrates 35th-Anniversary

The first Toyota 4Runner was released in 1984. The 2019 model will mark 35 years of excellence. To commemorate the special occasion, the automaker released a limited edition dubbed the Toyota 4Runner Nightshade.

As you can probably infer from the name, the Nightshade edition includes black-coated components. This includes black interior trims, a black grille, a black bumper, and 20-inch black wheels. Even the exhaust tips are clad in black.

That’s not all; some of the add-ons for the limited edition are also performance oriented. For instance, you can order the Nightshade trim with the TRD package, which gets you JBL Premium Audio speakers, a roof rack, and a Fox Suspension system. The max towing capacity also increases to 5,000 pounds.

Now, let’s take a look at the SUV’s 35-year history. The model made its debut in 1984 as a modification to the Toyota Hilux pickup truck. The first-generation model was a two-door SUV that resembled a semi-convertible wagon.

The mid-1980s was also the time when the first SUVs were released. By its second-generation in 1989, the Toyota 4Runner was upgraded to a four-door vehicle and a rear-wheel-drive version was also made available.

The Toyota 4Runner is currently in its fifth generation, which was introduced in 2010. Today, the vehicle is marketed as a rugged and versatile SUV with an option for an off-roading TRD add-on. Toyota automakers also introduced the Toyota Highlander for consumers gravitating towards a roomier SUV that’s more oriented towards family hauling.